A mysterious stone bridge, hidden beneath the waters of a Mallorca cave for 6,000 years, is rewriting history. Who built it, and what secrets does it hold?
A Prehistoric Structure Hidden Beneath Rising Waters
According to CNN, the 25-foot-long (7.6-meter-long) limestone bridge was found inside a submerged cave, providing crucial clues about early human activity in the western Mediterranean. The bridge, first discovered in 2000, had previously been dated to around 3,500 years ago based on pottery evidence. However, a new geological and mineral analysis has pushed this timeline back by an additional 2,500 years.
According to Bogdan Onac, lead author of the study and professor at the University of South Florida, the presence of this structure implies a sophisticated level of activity among early settlers.
“The presence of this submerged bridge and other artifacts indicates a sophisticated level of activity, implying that early settlers recognized the cave’s water resources and strategically built infrastructure to navigate it,” Onac stated.
How Was The Bridge Built?
The bridge is made of large limestone blocks, some measuring 4.2 feet (1.3 meters) across, but the exact construction techniques remain unknown. Researchers believe that its purpose was to create a dry, continuous path connecting the cave’s entrance to a chamber beyond an underground lake.
Geological markers helped determine the bridge’s age. A distinctive “bathtub ring” on the structure, along with calcite encrustations, allowed scientists to link its formation to ancient sea levels.
By reconstructing historic sea levels, Onac and his team concluded that the bridge must have been built before 5,600 years ago and was likely used for around 400 to 500 years before being submerged by rising waters.
Clues about early human life on Mallorca
While it remains unclear how exactly early settlers used the cave, evidence suggests it may have served as a refuge, a ritual site, or a storage area. “The purpose of crossing the lake to access that chamber remains unclear; it could have served as a refuge, place for rituals, or as a storage place, keeping food out of Mallorca’s hot days.” Onac explained.
Divers have found pottery and fossilized remains of an extinct species of goat, Myotragus balearicus, near the cave entrance. Additionally, structures built with large stones dating between 2,000 and 4,500 years ago suggest that early inhabitants had advanced construction skills.
Why Was Mallorca Settled Later Than Other Mediterranean Islands?
Despite its proximity to mainland Spain, Mallorca appears to have been settled later than many eastern Mediterranean islands. Researchers speculate that the island’s hot, dry climate and limited natural resources—thin soil, scarce fresh water, and a lack of large land animals—may have made it a less attractive destination for early humans.
“In contrast, other islands had more favorable environmental conditions and abundant resources, such as minerals and livestock, which made them more attractive for early settlers,” Onac noted.
Source: Scientists Discover a 6,000-Year-Old Bridge Hidden Beneath the Sea